3 Things to Let Go of to Reach Your Running Goals this Year
Did you know there is an actual day in January called quitter’s day? The second Friday in January is often tagged as quitter’s day because at this point a majority of people have already given up on that big shiny New Year’s resolution. While a running goal isn’t the same as a vague resolution, as a run coach who works primarily with running moms, I do see similarities. If you’re a mom with a running goal this year, I’m sharing 3 things you need to let go of to not only improve your chances of reaching that goal but actually enjoy the process to get there.
Comparing to others: The compare game is the quickest way to take the joy out of your running.
This doesn’t just include other moms on your instagram feed either. If you’re pursuing a goal this year after adding to your family, coming back from an injury, or even just picking things up again after recovering from your last race it can be difficult to fight the urge to compare yourself to a previous and maybe “fitter” version of yourself. Finding a training plan that meets you where you are right now and allows you to embrace the season you’re in not just with running but life outside of running as well is the only way to actually train sustainably. Being consistent in training is a goal I hear so often and the only way to actually train consistently is if that training plan is sustainable.
Going solo: I’m not talking about making a weekly group run or needing to find a running buddy.
Though those things can be nice, I realize for busy moms a majority of miles are on your own. Whether it’s due to scheduling or just wanting that quiet time to yourself to go after a big goal you need your people. For a running mom, the backbone of this team is your partner or people who are willing to help with kiddos when your training requires it. For the longest time, I tried to do anything I could to not miss anything due to running. This wore me out and fed into a cycle of either mom guilt for missing out or a little undercurrent of resentment when a workout got cut short. While the guilt isn’t completely quiet and at times workouts still get adjusted, leaning more into my partner and prioritizing training time has been a game changer. Kids really are little sponges and I’m glad our daughters get to see their dad support their mom in things she loves. It’s also pretty cool to see them find the head lamps and eat nerd clusters or “running treats” to play trail runner.
Waiting to take the leap: My business mentor has often told me to reach my goals in business I need to act and make decisions like the person that has already achieved my goals.
This is true for running too. For example, let’s say you want to run a marathon, you have to start making the decisions like someone who has finished a marathon. What did that marathon finishing version of you invest in? What did she double down on or let go of? This means taking the leap and really leaning into making the decisions to meet your goal. Some of those decisions might be small like getting a hand held so you can more easily take fluids on longer runs or bigger ones like working with a coach or finding a training plan that really works with your schedule. Investing in you and your running may seem a little frivolous at first, but if you’ve set a goal and it’s important to you, taking the leap and leaning in will make it even more enjoyable. And that’s kind of the point right?
If you’re a running mom who has a running goal this year but isn’t completely clear on how to make it happen, I’m here to help. I’m a physical therapist and run coach who has helped moms reach running goals from running pain free 5k to hitting marathon PRs. If you’re interested in learning more about how working with me inside of Run-Resilient could help you reach your next running goal, click "Book a Call" below to schedule a 15 minute call with me. Even if you're not ready for the program, I'll help you find your next action step towards reaching your goal.
Cheers to Running Yourself Resilient in 2026!
Katlyn
